Boston ivy: Diseases and Remedies (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)

NOTE: Boston ivy may be referred to as Parthenocissus tricuspidata in this article, in fact, those are the same plants, Parthenocissus tricuspidata is the botanical name for Boston ivy.

Boston ivy is one of the most suitable plants for areas where there is a need for a climbing vine that clings to almost anything and can tolerate shady conditions as well as the sun. This is the same plant that gives Ivy League universities their nickname, from the lush greenery that climbs their walls. Boston ivy is an easy-care ground cover plant in some areas.

Warning: Boston ivy (or Parthenocissus tricuspidata) has been reported to be toxic to Humans and Pets.

Why does my Parthenocissus tricuspidata roots have rot?

Root rot on your Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) can be fatal if not treated with care. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you follow our guide to keep your plant alive if the symptoms occur: Root soft and blackened.
Boston

Why does my Boston ivy have gray mold spots?

Gray mold spots are a specific fungus that regularly harms flowers and spreads swiftly. If you notice any brown (or gray) spots, this fungus is probably to cause. You risk your plant dying if you ignore these warning indications.

Our Solution

The solution is quite logical when you know the cause of the problem. Most of the time, it is due to overwater of the Parthenocissus tricuspidata. We advise you to remove the infected parts of the plant, cut off the infected roots and leaves, then repot your plant using sterile potting soil and a clean pot.

Why does my Boston ivy have leaf spots?

Leaf We provide you with all the information you need to identify and save your plants if they display signs like leaves that suddenly change color or wilt/droop. This sort of sickness is one of the most aggravating for Boston ivy owners.

Why are my Boston ivy leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves are arguably the most prevalent issue in the gardening world. Overwatering or a lack of nutrients are the 2 main causes of this issue.

Reduce your watering frequency when you fear your plants are being overwatered, and follow these steps to determine whether they may be lacking in nutrients:

Here are some signs of yellowing caused by the many deficiencies on the Parthenocissus tricuspidata in question:

  • The first symptom of a magnesium deficiency is yellow patches between leaf veins on elder leaves. The leaf’s core turns yellow while the veins stay green. The edges of the leaf yellow last.
  • Another indicator of iron deficiency is yellowing between leaf veins, but young leaves on plant tops and branch tips are first affected.
  • Sulfur shortage first affects the youngest leaves, turning them entirely yellow.
  • Insufficient potassium causes the leaf edges to turn brilliant yellow while the interior of the leaf stays green. Older leaves show the symptoms initially, and the leaf edges quickly darken.
  • A broad yellowing indicates a nitrogen deficiency. Yellowing starts with older, inner leaves. Yellowing spreads as it advances, eventually touching new leaves as well.

Our Solution

According to the symptoms mentioned above, you just have to act accordingly. You can reduce your watering frequency, or fix a deficiency in Potassium, or Nitrogen, for that, you just have to buy a special soil for your deficiency, a consultant in a gardening store will know perfectly well how to inform you.

Is my Boston ivy sunburned?

You can easily tell if your Boston ivy (your Parthenocissus tricuspidata) has a sunburn. In this case, your plant will change color, starting to turn yellow or white, much like it does on us.

Sunburned

As we saw above, the leaves of your Boston ivy can also change color if it receives too much water or insufficient light.

The bottom of the yellow leaves with a shaded area closer to the base can be examined to determine if they have been sunburned. If this part remains greener, the yellow leaf is most likely sunburned and not something else.

Why are my Boston ivy leaves turning brown?

Most of the time, leaves of a Boston ivy that turn brown is a sign that your plant has been sunburned, it has probably been exposed to too much direct sunlight. Don’t panic, your plant probably won’t die from this, but its growth will take a hit.

Should I leave my Parthenocissus tricuspidata in direct sunlight?

No! If your Parthenocissus tricuspidata (or Boston ivy) has the symptoms described above, don’t leave it in direct sunlight, that’s the reason why your Boston ivy is in such a state!

Our Solution

As stated in the paragraph above, the cure is straightforward: simply position your plant’s Boston ivy so that it is out of direct sunlight. With proper watering and this method, your plant should quickly come back to life.

Why are my Parthenocissus tricuspidata leaves drooping or wilting ?

In most cases, this happens when your Parthenocissus tricuspidata lacks water. This is especially the case for large plants, naturally they need more water than others.

Drooping

An easy way to know if your Parthenocissus tricuspidata is lacking water is to under-weigh its pot, if it looks light, it means that the soil and the roots are probably quite dry, and therefore need water!

Our Solution

If the soil in your plant’s pot is completely dry, you will need to start by moistening it so that the roots will also benefit from the water. A common mistake is to drown the Boston ivy right after a dry period thinking that it needs a lot of water.

This is true, but the easiest way to end it is to give too much water at once. Instead, you should water the soil properly, returning to a peaceful watering rhythm.

Caring Tips for Parthenocissus tricuspidata

Water Occasionally

Water is essential to the survival of your plant, however, it is important to balance the rate of watering. As we explained above, overwatering could have fatal consequences for your Parthenocissus tricuspidata.

Touching the soil will let you know whether your plant needs water or not; if it still feels damp, it’s generally best to wait a few more days.

Always keep temperatures stable

It is also a good idea to keep your Parthenocissus tricuspidata at a stable temperature (especially if it is kept indoors!). At GreenShack, we generally recommend staying in the 65 and 85 degrees F range. Of course, do not place your Parthenocissus tricuspidata near a source of hot (or cold) air such as A/C units, radiators or the like.

Keep your Boston ivy Dust-Free

This one concerns indoor plants, just like on your furniture, dust is also deposited on the leaves of your indoor plants, the problem is that it can prevent them from receiving the necessary light, this would slow down (or even stop) the photosynthesis process, and eventually, they would lose their colors.

This would also make the pests happy, a real descent into hell for your Boston ivy.

To remove the dust from the leaves of your plant, take a microfiber cloth and gently rub the leaves. You can wet the cloth to make it easier to remove the dust, but never use corrosive products (such as rubbing alcohol!)

Keep drainage in mind

If you have a tendency to overwater, you should be mindful of your drainage, and if they don’t already have them, we suggest selecting a saucer and a pot with drainage holes.

You can add volcanic rocks (or any other pebbles with holes) to the bottom of your pot in the interim if your pots don’t already have holes in them. This will help to form a channel so that the water doesn’t pool there for too long (preventing the rot of the roots!).